Rohit, who himself was leading one of the contingents, got a message through his intelligence source that about ten hard core naxalites were hiding in a particular village with sophisticated weapons. Without wasting any time, Rohit reached the target village with his team and laid out a foolproof cordon and started carrying out a systematic search. During the search, his team managed to overpower all the naxalites along with their automatic weapons. However, in the meantime, more than five hundred tribal women surrounded the village and started marching towards the target house. They were shouting and demanding the immediate release of insurgents since they are their protectors and saviors. The situation on the ground was becoming very critical as the tribal women were extremely agitated and aggressive. Rohit tried to contact his superior officer, IG (Special Operations) of the state on the radio set and in mobile phone, but failed to do so due to poor connectivity. Rohit was in great dilemma since out of the naxalites apprehended, two were not only hard core top insurgents with prize money of ten lakhs on their heads, but were also involved in a recent ambush on the security forces. However, if he did not release the naxalites, the situation could get out of control since the tribal women were aggressively charging towards them. In that case, to control the situation Rohit might have to resort to firing which may lead to valuable loss of lives of civilians and would further complicate the situation. 

1. What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation? 
2. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit? 
3. Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Rohit to adopt and why?
4. In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the police in dealing with women protesters?

Former PM Manmohan Singh termed Naxalism as India’s biggest internal threat. Rohit’s operation successfully captured key insurgents, but the protest by tribal women creates a moral and operational challenge. He must balance immediate security needs with the long-term goal of maintaining peace, while adhering to ethical policing standards.

Options Available to Rohit:

1. Release the Naxalites: This may de-escalate the situation immediately, but compromises justice and rule of law, violating the ethical principle of Kantian duty.
2. Negotiate with the Women: Rohit could demonstrate empathy, patience, and non-violence by explaining legal consequences, urging peaceful dispersion. 
3. Use Non-lethal Force: Employing non-lethal measures like tear gas shows prudence and respect for human rights, balancing utilitarianism by minimizing harm while maintaining public order.
4. Wait for Reinforcements: Waiting for backup demonstrates temperance and strategic thinking, ensuring that due process is followed while preventing unnecessary escalation.
5. Strategic Retreat: A temporary retreat would show wisdom and foresight, prioritizing the value of life and avoiding immediate confrontation, in line with virtue ethics.

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Rohit:

1. Public Safety vs. Law Enforcement: Balancing public safety with capturing dangerous insurgents.
2. Use of Force vs. Human Rights: The potential need for force conflicts with the ethical duty to respect human rights, especially of vulnerable civilians.
3. Duty to Arrest vs. Public Sentiment: While Rohit’s duty is to uphold the law, he faces the challenge of balancing this with the sentiments and loyalty of the tribal community toward the naxalites.
4. Moral Responsibility vs. Professional Obligations: protecting the lives of the tribal women while ensuring public safety.
5. Justice vs Immediate Peace: Upholding law by detaining insurgents or releasing them to avoid unrest.
6. Short-term De-escalation vs. Long-term Security: The dilemma of whether to release the naxalites for immediate calm or risk long-term instability if they remain at large.
7. Non-Violence vs. Enforcement: The dilemma between adhering to the value of non-violence (by not using force against the women) and the need for strict enforcement to prevent insurgents from escaping.
8. Lack of Superior Guidance: Acting without immediate instructions from higher authorities

Most Appropriate Option:

Negotiate with the Women and De-escalate the Situation:

Precautionary Measures for Dealing with Women Protesters:

1. Avoid Use of Force: Under no circumstances should lethal force be used against women protesters; non-lethal measures should only be employed as a last resort.
2. Engage Female Officers: Deploy female police officers to interact with the protesters, as this may calm the crowd and avoid escalation.
3. Maintain Clear Communication: Make an effort to communicate clearly with the women, ensuring they understand that the police are there for their safety and are not enemies.
4. Respect Cultural Sensitivities: Understand the cultural dynamics of the tribal women and avoid actions that could be perceived as disrespectful or oppressive.
5. Document the Situation: Ensure video recording of the events for transparency and accountability, to protect both the police and the community from later allegations of misconduct.

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” — Albert Einstein

Rohit is faced with a delicate situation that requires both strategic thinking and moral courage. The ethical principles of non-violence, duty, and long-term societal stability should guide his actions, ensuring both justice and peace in the region.